Clasp for albums



(Model) B. S. GLOVER.

CLASP FOR ALBUMS.

No. 250,066. Patented N0v.29,1881. I

Zfiimmras: n

' I C I, K

N. PETER$ mwmm m mr. Washingiom u n UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELI S. GLOVER, OF BATTLE GREEK, MICHIGAN;

CLASP FOR ALBUMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 250,066, dated November 29, 1881.

' Application filed May 16,1881. (Model) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELI S. GLOVER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Battle Creek, in the county of Calhoun and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Clasp for Albums or other Books, (the same has not been known or used to my knowledge in this or any foreign country,) of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to furnish a clasp for albums or other books so constructed that the same clasp can be used for books of different thicknesses and can be extended to any desired length without the use of elastic springs, and while it clasps the book firmly will presenta neat and ornamental appearance.

In the accompanying drawings, where similar letters of reference indicate like parts, Figure 1 is a front view of the clasp when in use. Figs. 2 and 4 represent the upper and lower binding-plates detached from the covers of the book. Fig. 3 represents one of the plates or sections of the improved clasp.

A and B are the binding-plates, which are so formed as to fit upon the forward edges of the book-covers andoverlap the outer and inner sides of said edges. These plates are secured to the covers of the book by rivets or nails in the usual manner.

Upon the bend or outer edge of the plate A is fixed the spherical knob or a catch, (J, and upon the plate B is fixed the tubes or hinge In, for attaching the clasp to the coverot' the book.

The clasp is formed of a series of plates, sections, or links, D D, hinged or jointed together, each section being provided with a perforation, c, to pass over the knob O and rest upon the neck of the same. When the clasp is closed its upper sections will, lie upon the top cover, if the clasp is longer than the thickness of the book.

The plate or section D is formed of one piece of flat metal, having perforations or slits at a a and hooks, links, or tubes at b b, of the same width as the slits are. The space between the hooks, link-s, or tubes b 1) correspond with the distance between the slits a a, and midway between these slits a a is the catch or perforation a, designed to pass over the knob 0 when the book is closed.

In order to prevent the clasp from folding outward, which would be objectionable, I leave the lip or projection f on the edge of each section, which projection overlaps a portion of the next section adjoining when the plates, links, or sections are hinged together, and the lip or projection f serves to prevent the hinge from folding in but one direction, and causes it to lie upon the top cover when the book is closed and the clasp fastened.

The plates or sections D D are fastened together by hooking theloops b I) into the slits a a of a corresponding section, and by closing the loops 1) b, forming a tube-hinge at e c on the edge of the plate between each section; or I connect these plates or sections by using links or rings in the place of the hooks or tubes. By this construction as many of the plates or sec- .tions as may be desired can be hinged together,

forming a clasp of any desired length, and which is capable of being clasped to the cover at any one of the series of plates, links, or sections; and as the clasp is prevented from bending. forward by the lip or projectionf, which overlaps each section, the upper end of the clasp will fold backward and lie upon the top of the book when the book is closed and the clasp fastened.

I do not confine myself to the exact form of the plate, links, or sections described, as it can be varied in shape and construction to produce the same result.

WhatI claim is- 1. A clasp for an album or other book, having a series of plates or sections linked or hinged together to form an adj u table and extension clasp, said plates, links, or sections being provided with perforations or a fixture to clasp the covers of the book, for the purpose substantially as described.

2. In a clasp for an album or other book, the plates, links, or sections D D, having the books or tubes 1) b, and the slits a a, and the perforations c, in combination with the binding-platcs A 15, substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

3. In combination with the binding-plates A B, the hinged plates, links, or sect-ionsD D, having the lips or projectionsf, to overlap in the form of scales, by which means the clasp is made flexible in but one direction, for the purpose substantially as described.

ELI SHELDON GLOVER.

Witnesses:

E. S. WALKER, J AMEs FERGUSON. 

